Construction for the digits of display figures and the like



y 5, 1942- c. BOULARD 2,281,741

CONSTRUCTON FOR THE DIGITS 0F DISPLAY FIGURES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 30, 194G In 0e nfol', I (Sbnsfance Boa/ardfliforney.

Patented May 5, 1942 CONSTRUCTION F DISPLAY FIGUR OR. THE DIGITS OF ES AND THE LIKE Constance Boulard, Union City, N. J. Application January 30, 1940, Serial No.,3l6,300

2 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a construction for the digits of display figures or manikins such as are used for the display of articles of wearing apparel or the like. By the term "figure as here used, I mean not only complete figures of whatever age or sex, but also portions of such figures. More particularly it relates to a construction for the digits of figures of this type, the parts whereof are adjustable so that they may assume various poses.

While my invention has been disclosed in its particular application to display figures in human form, it will be understood that particularly as to certain phases thereof, it may have other applications.

It is the general object of my invention to provide a construction for the digits of display figures and the like that is simple, effective and low in cost.

It is also among the objects of my invention to provide, in a display figure digit, a construction whereby adequate adjustability is provided and whereby the digit will remain in any desired position of adjustment without the necessity of looking it in any way, and further the provision of an adjustable construction that will retain its effectiveness for long periods of time.

These objects and such other objects as will hereinafter appear or be pointed out are attained in the illustrative embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective, on an enlarged scale, of the inner framework of a hand for a display figure constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention;

Figure 2 is a detail view, on an enlarged scale of one of the joints of the hand shown in Figure 1.

Before describing my invention in detail I will premise that the hand shown in Figure 1, comprises in general an inner framework or annature, which is composed of articulately connected elements so as to permit changes in the relative positions of its parts, and superposed on this framework in an outer covering, which is contoured to resemble a desired form, and which is flexible and so contoured and dimensioned that as the configuration of the framework is changed the covering will conform itself thereto. I have found sponge rubber a highly satisfactory material for the outer covering, as it is yieldable and will return to its normal shape when free from the action of distorting forces. However, it will be understood that for particular purposes, other substances may be found preferable.

, terengage The outer covering may be molded over the frame, or molded separately and applied to the frame afterwards, and both of these methods may be used, some on certain portions of the.

figure, some on other portions. For particular purposes other processes may be found suitable or even preferable.

In the following description only the parts of the inner framework or armature have been described. It is to be understood that although this is not specifically mentioned, each part thus described has associated with it a portion of the flexible covering already described in general terms hereinabove, appropriately contoured in a desired manner.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be observed that the hand is shown as comprising a block 8|, corresponding to the carpal portion of the human hand, a plurality of doubled links 82, corresponding to the metacarpal portion of the human hand pivotally carried by the block 8|, and three sets of links 83, 84, and corresponding to the phalange portion of the fingers of the human hand, and also three sets of links 86, 81 and 88 corresponding to the phalange portions of the thumb. The links 88 are connected to the block 8| by a universal joint 89, which may be of the double ball type similar to the joints hereinabove described.

Adjacent links are shown united by knuckle joints 90 of any suitable or preferred type. In Figure 2 I have shown one of the joints 9!! in greater detail. It is there shown as comprising opposed headed members 9| and 92 which inin some suitable manner, as by threading. A coil spring 93 seated on one of the members 9| or 92 serves to provide'the pressure necessary to produce friction in the contacting portions of the links, such as the links 83 and 84 shown in Figure 2.

It will be observed that the links 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 81 and 88 are shown as paired, whereby the finger and thumb portions are given body, and whereby the use of joints of the type shown is made possible.

may be embodied in many other forms without departing from the spirit thereof, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the disclosure herein is by Way of illustration merely, and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and further, that I do not limit myself other than as called for by the language or the appendeq claims,

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an armature for a display figure, digital portions comprising paired links pivotally united in overlapping end to end relation, said links being pivotally united by means comprising a headed arrangement passing through the end portions of adjoining paired links and preventing their separation and providing'va pivot, and resilient means disposed between the links so as 2. In an armature for a display figure, a digital portion comprising paired links arranged in end to end relation; one end of each pair of intermediate links being positioned between one end of an adjacent pair, and the other ends of the links of each pair of intermediate links receiving between them the ends of the links of another to press the links of one pair against the links of the other pair.

adjacent pair, and a knuckle joint uniting said end, portions of adjacent links.

CONSTANCE BOULARD. 

